Originally Posted By: chaosmagnet
There is no equipment you can EDC that will safely test if the third rail is live.

An Extech DV50 or something like it with a long fiberglass rod probably would do it. The DV50 has a telescoping 39" fiberglass pole.

The third rail doesn't constantly arc over to the cars, outer rails & every other conductor nearby so there's a limit to the voltage there.

... though I can't remember what AC frequencies the DV50 can handle and that might be a problem.